Downtown Durham Social District: The Bullpen

The Bullpen goes into effect on December 1, 2022

The Bullpen, Durham’s first social district, allows people to responsibly drink beer, wine or cocktails purchased from participating businesses as they walk through a defined area of downtown. 

Social districts have been implemented in various towns and cities across the state since the North Carolina General Assembly enacted legislation in 2021 allowing municipalities to designate areas where alcoholic beverages can be purchased from a licensed ABC permittee, and then taken outdoors.

Durham City Council unanimously approved creating a social district for downtown in October 2022 as another way to spark positive economic impacts for downtown businesses.

The Bullpen operates from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. seven days a week. View The Bullpen map.